Win with the Caro-Kann - by Sverre Johnsen & Torbjorn Ringdal Hansen (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Caro-Kann is a rare beast among chess openings. While respected as a sound and safe way to start the game, it also avoids symmetry or simplification. This allows Black many ways to keep the game unbalanced and play for a win.

Two Norwegian opening experts provide a set of options that take full advantage of this flexibility. In the main line, you are given a choice between the 4...Bf5 and the 5...exf6 systems - but both strictly in their modern dynamic forms! In the latter, Hansen is a world-leading authority, with a wealth of experience to explain the typical mistakes White makes when facing this deceptively tricky line. By studying his material, you will be well ahead of the game in this rapidly-evolving system. For instance, the critical improvements over the Duda-Carlsen game in 2020 were already in Hansen's files from two years earlier.

The other recommended systems for Black are also aggressive and very much the '21st-century Caro-Kann'. It's 3...c5 against the Advance, in which Hansen is also an outstanding specialist. The Panov Attack is answered with ...g6 lines - strategically ideal, and nowadays backed up by amazing modern computer analysis. Against the Two Knights, we are offered an ...exf6 option as well as the ...Bg4 approach. The repertoire is completed with good sensible recommendations against almost every other conceivable move White can throw at the Caro-Kann. This extremely up-to-date book has an innovative structure, with 'lessons', model games and theory 'magnifiers'.

From the Back Cover

The Caro-Kann is a rare beast among chess openings. While respected as a sound and safe way to start the game, it also avoids symmetry or simplification. This allows Black many ways to keep the game unbalanced and play for a win.

Two Norwegian opening experts provide a set of options that take full advantage of this flexibility. In the main line, you are given a choice between the 4...Bf5 and the 5...exf6 systems - but both strictly in their modern dynamic forms! In the latter, Hansen is a world-leading authority, with a wealth of experience to explain the typical mistakes White makes when facing this deceptively tricky line. By studying his material, you will be well ahead of the game in this rapidly-evolving system. For instance, the critical improvements over the Duda-Carlsen game in 2020 were already in Hansen's files from two years earlier.

The other recommended systems for Black are also aggressive and very much the '21st-century Caro-Kann'. It's 3...c5 against the Advance, in which Hansen is also an outstanding specialist. The Panov Attack is answered with ...g6 lines - strategically ideal, and nowadays backed up by amazing modern computer analysis. Against the Two Knights, we are offered an ...exf6 option as well as the ...Bg4 approach. The repertoire is completed with good sensible recommendations against almost every other conceivable move White can throw at the Caro-Kann. This extremely up-to-date book has an innovative structure, with 'lessons', model games and theory 'magnifiers'.

Sverre Johnsen is a chess analyst, researcher, organizer, trainer and writer from Norway. He is co-author of Win with the London System and Win with the Stonewall Dutch, two of the best-selling openings books of recent years. Grandmaster Torbjorn Ringdal Hansen is also from Norway. He is one of the founders of the chess retail business Sjakkhuset and works full-time as a chess trainer. He was the first coach of Magnus Carlsen (in 1999) and has worked with three other players who went on to become grandmasters.

Review Quotes

"a repertoire
book with the authors offering two choices for Black against White's major
tries and a single choice against lesser lines. Over 100 pages is devoted to
answering 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 with both 4...Bf5 and 4...Nf6 5.Nxf6+
exf6. Johnsen and Ringdal Hansen round out their repertoire with 3...c5 against
the Advance Variation, 5...g6 against the Panov-Botvinnik and coverage against
lesser lines - for example 3...e6 4.Nc3 Bb4 against the Fantasy Variation
(3.f3). Has a detailed index of variations making it easy to locate specific
lines" - IM John Donaldson, USA Team Captain


"Cleverly, the authors have organised the material so that preparation of the material is in the most logical sequence eliminating the need for the student to create a preparation plan for themselves. ... an excellent repertoire trainer for Black against 1 e4" - John Upham,
British Chess News

"I am of no doubt that the diligent, disciplined reader will [improve] after absorbing all or even some of this work. I know that I certainly have already. I actually feel much more confident about playing 1...c6 now. It has done what a good chess book should - give me the motivation to investigate further." - Carl Portman, Chess Book Reviews

"The material is divided into good size lessons, with a fluid and coherent
explanation of key ideas" - Miguel Ararat, Florida Chess
Magazine

About the Author

Sverre Johnsen is a chess analyst, researcher, organizer, trainer and writer from Norway. He is co-author of Win with the London System and Win with the Stonewall Dutch, two of the best-selling openings books of recent years. Grandmaster Torbjorn Ringdal Hansen is also from Norway. He is one of the founders of the chess retail business Sjakkhuset and works full-time as a chess trainer. He was the first coach of Magnus Carlsen (in 1999) and has worked with three other players who went on to become grandmasters.